COST OF A GUN LICENSE IN KENYA.

It sounds absurd when a person intentionally wants to own a gun right? But there are several reasons why a person would want to own a firearm. There are outlined procedures and requirements for getting a gun license in Kenya. These restrictions are set and the procedures are in place to ensure that the firearms are not placed in the hands of criminals or insane people who would use them to harm people.
Once again SPM BUZZ got you in giving you exclusive information and guidelines on how you can legally own a gun.
Owning a gun in Kenya must be a luxury because it’s not really a necessity, this privilege is granted to only a few people. Since police officers are mandated to protect civilians, only a few self-protection applications are approved.
These approved cases include when the applicant’s status exposes them to danger. Excluded cases like for a Member of Parliament or Senate or a prominent business person are automatically approved to own firearms.

A gun or firearm license is a permit issued by the mandated government authority of a particular nation that allows an applicant to buy, own, possess, or carry a firearm. Except for Government and Constitutional agencies that are empowered by law to bear firearms, no one is eligible to own a gun until they have obtained a valid gun license. The Firearms Licencing Board (FLB) in Kenya is responsible for regulating, licensing and controlling the manufacture, transportation, importation, exportation, repair, sale, storage, possession, and use of ammunition, firearms, airguns and destructive devices. The Firearms Act in Kenya and the Security Amendment Act legislation control gun ownership and use in Kenya.

How to get a gun license

Owning a gun in Kenya is considerably expensive for an ordinary Kenyan. To have this luxury you’ve got to spend Ksh 100, 000 and Ksh 350, 000 when purchased legally. For a Short gun you may spend between Ksh 160, 000 and Ksh 350, 000. Some of the gun shops in Kenya include J.J Okwaro & Co, Spy Shop Limited, and Kenya Bunduki, among others. You only get to own the gun if you meet the requirements.
The process of getting a licensed gun in Kenya is straightforward but lengthy, it’s not for the faint-hearted. One has to express interest in owning a gun by applying to the officer in charge of licensing firearms. First-time applicants are required to apply in person with the Firearms Bureau in Nairobi area. An applicant must meet a set of requirements for the vetting process by the Firearm Licensing Board in Kenya if they want to have the freedom of walking around with a gun.

The requirements include:
– Copy of Identification card -passport
-Certificate of good conduct from the Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI)
-Psychiatric report from a government hospital Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC) Additionally,
– applicant must be of the age of 21 years and above, -well-trained in handling the firearm.
Despite meeting the above requirements, the firearms Act in Kenya prohibits civilians from owning guns used by security organs, for example, MP5, AK47, and G3.

The application process:

The application process is done in person.
To apply for the license:
-Visit the Kenya Firearms Bureau located at the Nairobi Area Station to apply for a firearm license. The Chief Licensing Officer will provide you with the prescribed application form for you to complete.
-Get a clearance with the CID
– Have your fingerprints taken and obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct from the DCI at the cost of Ksh. 1050
The process takes at least two weeks.
– Submit the duly filled application form
-Submit a duly filled form to the police station nearest to your residence, and attach an Identity card or passport copy Certificate of Good Conduct Physical and mental fitness certificate.
When reviewing the application Vetting of the application by the County Security Committee and District Security Intelligence Committee before approval or rejection is done. The Inspector-General of Police is responsible for the clearance of the application.
The names of those vetted and cleared for consideration to be licensed as firearm holders are forwarded to the Inspector General of Police, who has the final say to instruct the Chief Licensing Officer to clear the applicants. Then there is the Issuing of the firearm certificate/license.
Upon approval from the Inspector General, an applicant will become a holder of a gun license in Kenya. But it’s not always a sure bet that even after going through all this process of application one will get the license. There are a few reasons why the application would be rejected.
Among the common reasons why an application may be turned down include:
-If the applicant is insane
-If He or she is temperamental
-If He or she cannot handle or store the firearm safely.
That said, it is also worth noting that for a holder of a gun license in Kenya.
Even after owning a gun after a successful application, the request could be revoked.

Reasons why a gun licence can be revoked.
– Misusing a gun while drunk
– When one fails to renew their license
– Careless storage that may cause harm to the public
– When the holder removes the gun’s serial number
– When a holder is a threat to public safety.
A gun license in Kenya is granted under strict adherence to the Firearm Act in Kenya.
Since not every person gets the privilege to own a gun, one should be cautious when they get one.
These guidelines above will help you to become a licensed gun holder.
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